A drink-driver has been fined £1,350 and banned from driving for two years.

Carpet fitter Leigh Allen failed a breathalyser test with a reading of 52. The legal limit is 35.

The 38 year old was also ordered by magistrates to retake his test at the end of the ban.

Prosecuting advocate Rachael Braidwood told the court that police saw Allen driving a Volkswagen Golf on Malew Road in Castletown on August 9 at 12.55am.

They stopped him because of the manner of his driving and he was said to be smelling of alcohol and slurring his words.

Allen, who lives in Bay View Road, Port St Mary, told police: ’I’ve been drinking.’

He failed a roadside breathalyser test and was subsequently arrested and taken to police headquarters where he produced the reading of 52.

The court heard that he has one previous unrelated conviction.

Defence advocate Ian Kermode handed in a letter of reference for his client and said: ’Mr Allen was out visiting a friend.

’He had a few drinks but then made the decision to drive home from the address in St Mark’s. He accepts he made an error of judgement, thinking he was under the limit.’

He added: ’No property was damaged and no injuries were caused.’

Mr Kermode went on to ask for credit to be given for Allen’s guilty plea and co-operation with the police, and said that his one previous conviction was a conditional discharge 20 years ago.

’His attitude is one of disappointment in himself,’ said the advocate.

Magistrates ordered him to pay the fine and costs at a rate of £100 per month.